CHICKENPOX!!!!

Spendless · 15 September 2004 at 1:27PM

My 4 year old has come down with chickenpox (yep b4 he even starts doing full days at his school).

He is a lively little boy who won't be happy about having to stick to house and garden. So as we are likely to be housebound for next week or so can anyone give me any ideas on keeping him and his 18 month old sister amused.

16011996 · 15 September 2004 at 1:38PM

i swear by loads of calamine to keep the itching down, and watch out for the 18 month old getting it. cool bath will help with any itching too.

when my middle one had it, was late sept (she was 4 but at full time school and i had 10 month old), but we spent time painting and printing christmas cards for family with potatoes and things, made some home made decs, and also had a walk on the park one afternoon, (before the kids got out from school and it was quiet) and collected leaves and stuff to make an autumn collage. meant she got some fresh air, and wasn't stuck inside all the time.
seem to recall we baked rice crispie cakes one day too. but i also remember she was tired and went back to having a nap most afternoons, think it just took it out of her somewhat. eldest and youngest have never had it oddly enough.

hope some of this helps. best of luck,

160.

filigree_2 · 15 September 2004 at 1:46PM

He isn't infectious any more, unless pus from the spots gets onto someone's skin. Chicken pox is spread by coughs and sneezes, and the infectious stage is before the spots show up. There's a strong possibility your little girl will develop it soon I'm afraid.

You can certainly take him to the park, so long as he doesn't start cuddling the other children they'll be fine

Be wary of other parents treating you like you've got the plague, though.

I have been told that Lush "In the Nude" bath melt is lovely and soothing for chickenpox. You only need half a block for one child size bath.

Spendless · 15 September 2004 at 1:49PM

18 month old had it 1st, it's her that's given it to him!!
The doctor told me to give her anti-histimine, so I've given 4 year old same and he hasn't complained of itching since.

There is a woods and country lanes nearby so will do as suggested and take out when school is on.

Will also give making xmas cards a go.

Thanks for you help

jaybee · 15 September 2004 at 7:23PM

Hope your little boy feels better soon. Much better to get it over and done with while he's young. I had it at 26 and ended up in hospital.

16011996 · 15 September 2004 at 7:35PM

OOH, i've never had it. didn't think you could still get them as an adult.

lisyloo · 15 September 2004 at 7:40PM

Yes you definitely can and it can be much worse as an adult.

There is a version called shingles (not sure whether that's what it's called in adulthood or whether its a variant) and it can have lifelong effects.

My grandfather had pains in his arms that lasted decades until he died after getting shingles. I am not sure of the medical details but it was confirmed by a doctor that the effects would never go away.

lisyloo · 15 September 2004 at 7:46PM

BTW - I'm also pretty sure that you can get it a few times as well.

i.e. just because you had it once doesn't necessarily mean you can't get it again as with other diseases.

Spendless · 15 September 2004 at 9:10PM

Yes - doctor said can get chickenpox more than once, if you don't develop immunity to it. Likely to happen if you get a mild dose and/or if you're young when you get it and immune system not fully developed. Even tho I've had chickenpox I had to have a bloodtest to check immunity when I came into contact with chickenpox during one of my pregnancies. (don't know about shingles tho).

Have spent day having mass tidy up so I can do some of things suggested for rest of week.

Calamine worked when anti-histimine wore off. Can only give medicine twice a day so saving other dose for bedtime so as (hopefully) I'm not up all night like I was with daughter.

Wasn't happy with cool bath tho. Complained water too cold!! Someone recommended a Lush product. Where can I get this?

Thanks for the good wishes.

jaybee · 15 September 2004 at 10:05PM

Yes - I has chicken pox at 26 and shingles this year. Nasty. Still get recurring problems with it as well.

Jay-Jay_4 · 16 September 2004 at 1:35AM

Good advice so far

Mine had it about 6 months ago, age 4, and was fine but a little more tired than usual.

I gave her a small dish and a cotton wool bud to dab her own calamine on the bits she could reach.

When the spots itched I told her to press them instead of scratching. It worked a treat and stopped the scarring.

CHICKENPOX!!!!

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